Pearson Boats - Common Systems > Ports & Hatches
Happy Holidays to my fellow 323 Enthusiasts! (also rebedding fixed ports)
Libations Too:
Best wishes to all for Happy Holidays and great sailing adventures in the New Year!
It would be great to hear of plans for your sailing adventures and boat projects for 2015! For Libations that includes a two week cruise to Monterey Bay and resealing my two starboard fixed ports...a project that I have been putting off for too long. And several shorter overnight Bay cruises as we find time and energy.
selene:
And Happy Holidays to you too.
I rebedded one of my fixed ports using various sites for information discussed previously, with the Catalina repair kit. Disassembly, cleanup and dryfitting went very smoothly; reassembly not so much. I learned some things others had not mentioned:
1) I used a fair amount of the sealant - perhaps too much, but voids were what caused some of my my leaks. However as the port compressed, it made a big mess as it squeezed out, and was difficult to clean up, So wear old trousers and use a groundsheet with a container for cleanup towels as it sticks voraciously to the P323 nonskid.
2) It really helps to mark clearly the orientation of the glass - which side in, fwd vs. aft. You may think it is obvious as you dryfit it, but as you actually refit it, it can be confusing - especially as you struggle with item 3 below!
3) I completely underestimated the force required to fit the frame over the strip, with the sealant in place. I tried to do it by hand - it was so tough I was convinced I had the glass oriented incorrectly (see point 2). In the end I used clamps and gently compressed the two sides of the frame together squeezing out excess sealant (which required a good supply of paper towels to keep under control - see point 1). I also needed a toothpick to ensure the lip of the strip did not distorted/get pushed under the frame.
4) As the strip compresses, and sealant oozes out, the strip stretches may need to be trimmed for a tight fit (It worked fine when dry assembling, but became too long when "live"). I cannot claim to have mastered this - perhaps it is best to do in steps - compress, release, trim, try the fit again.
5) I bought some Butyl tape from an RV store. It was not formulated for California - the viscosity was too low, and in summer it began to run/drip! I had to remove and rebed the port with Butyl Tape supplied by this guy:
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape. I have mentioned the site before, great articles, and he has begun selling the formulation he uses. Seems to be working much better. The lesson here: Not all "Butyl Tape" is made equal.
I found it frustrating reassembling the port, but was very happy with the finished product in terms of a watertight seal.
I hope this helps - please let us know how it goes, I am sure there are things I could have done better, and perhaps between us we can (virtually) develop an optimal process!
Libations Too:
Thanks Selene! One quick question (not trying to hijack my own thread): did you repaint the frames? Or perhaps had them anodized?
selene:
I was feeling a bit poor to have them reanodized. I simply sprayed them with high-temperature matt black paint, which I then coated with a layer of wax. Barely acceptable - lasts a few years, no more. I use the same approach on the opening cabin-top hatches, which were looking especially patchy when I got the boat,
Since there is so much black anodized material on the boat, I am always concerned about doing the work piecemeal - and overwhelmed by the idea of doing it all! But it still bugs me, especially the big cleats which would look awesome if a solid black.
To get us back on track - Happy New Year!!
Dolce_Vita:
--- Quote from: selene on December 26, 2014, 05:33:14 AM ---I was feeling a bit poor to have them reanodized. I simply sprayed them with high-temperature matt black paint, which I then coated with a layer of wax. Barely acceptable - lasts a few years, no more. I use the same approach on the opening cabin-top hatches, which were looking especially patchy when I got the boat,
Since there is so much black anodized material on the boat, I am always concerned about doing the work piecemeal - and overwhelmed by the idea of doing it all! But it still bugs me, especially the big cleats which would look awesome if a solid black.
To get us back on track - Happy New Year!!
--- End quote ---
When I rebuilt my hatches a few years ago, I took them to an automotive custom paint shop and had them stripped and powdercoated. They look great and are so durable that they'll probably outlast the boat.
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